Ahasuerus at the End of the World

This remarkably modern-looking take on an end-of-the-world theme was painted by Jewish Hungarian artist Adolf Hiremy-Hirschl (1860–1933) in 1888.... more

by Adolf Hiremy-Hirschl

Title

Ahasuerus at the End of the World

Artist

Adolf Hiremy-Hirschl

Medium

Painting - Print On Paper

Description

This remarkably modern-looking take on an end-of-the-world theme was painted by Jewish Hungarian artist Adolf Hiremy-Hirschl (1860–1933) in 1888. The glossy realism and 'layered' images give it the look of a contemporary fantasy novel cover. Hard to believe it was created with oil paint on canvas, and not Photoshop. Hiremy-Hirschl spent the early part of his professional life in Vienna, and was among the most successful artists of his day until the Viennese Secession movement sent his reputation into decline. He moved to Rome and spent the last 35 years of his life there as an eminent member of the expatriate art community. Hiremy-Hirschl's heirs took possession of his studio and many of his works, which remained hidden away until they were made public in the early 1980s. The Ahasuerus of the title was the 'Wandering Jew', a mythical immortal individual whose legend began to spread in Europe in the 13th century. He was given the name Ahasver from at least the 17th century, apparently adapted from Ahasuerus, the Persian king in the Book of Esther, who was not Jewish, and whose name among medieval Jews was synonymous with 'fool'.

Uploaded

January 12th, 2019